The Federal Government has approved N515 million in relief funds for business owners affected by the recent fire incident at the SPAR shopping mall in Calabar, Cross River State.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the intervention on Friday during her visit to the state, where she also commissioned the South-South phase of the National Community Foodbank Programme.
According to the First Lady, President Bola Tinubu approved N25 million each for 18 business owners whose businesses were affected by the August 22 fire, totaling N450 million.
She said an additional N50 million was presented to the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, to support women’s groups, while N15 million was given to women who welcomed her to the state.
“Mr. President commiserates with the government and people of Cross River over this unfortunate incident that destroyed many businesses and livelihoods,” Senator Tinubu said.
She explained that the intervention was intended to provide immediate assistance to the affected entrepreneurs and support their recovery from the losses suffered in the incident.
The August 22 fire outbreak at the SPAR shopping mall affected several businesses, with property worth billions of naira reportedly destroyed.
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Foodbank Programme
The First Lady also commissioned the South-South phase of the National Community Foodbank Programme, an initiative aimed at improving food security and addressing malnutrition among vulnerable households.
Senator Tinubu said the programme would expand access to nutritious food for vulnerable families and complement existing government interventions targeted at tackling food insecurity.
Receiving the First Lady, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, thanked President Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the relief package, describing it as timely assistance to businesses affected by the fire.
Governor Otu said the intervention would help the affected entrepreneurs begin rebuilding their businesses and restoring their livelihoods.
He also commended the Federal Government for extending the Foodbank Programme to the South-South region, saying the initiative would strengthen social protection and improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
The governor expressed satisfaction that Cross River State was selected to host the South-South phase of the programme, describing it as an indication of the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable Nigerians.
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